Women’s rights campaigner Mary Barry says AFL still has work to do in wake of Ross Lyon case

ONE of the architects of the AFL’s respect and responsibility policy has declared she “would never support women being silenced” in the wake of the Ross Lyon investigation.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon.

ONE of the architects of the AFL’s respect and responsibility policy has declared she “would never support women being silenced”.

Mary Barry, chief executive of anti-domestic violence advocacy group Our Watch, declined to discuss the specifics of the Ross Lyon investigation but said the AFL still said had work to do.

Lyon was this week revealed as the senior Fremantle Dockers figure at the centre of a sexual harassment allegation raised by a former club staffer last December.

PAYOUT: PRESSURE RISES OVER FREO SEX SLUR CLAIMS

CLAIMS: AFL BOSS OK WITH FREMANTLE SECRECY

A source close to the case has claimed the alleged victim had been warned not to talk after being paid a five-figure sum and signing a non-disclosure agreement: “They’ve said that if anyone talks it will be stopped — the payment.”

Another source said: “So much is geared towards protecting a lot of people.”

Ms Barry told the Herald Sun: “While we cannot comment on individual cases, Our Watch would never support women being silenced.

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon.

“Our Watch does not condone payments made in lieu of a proper investigation, or if this compromises the autonomy of the victim in choosing their preferred path to resolution.

“We are confident that this is also the AFL’s position.”

Fremantle referred the complaint to the AFL and the league’s subsequent investigation found no case to answer under its respect and responsibility policy.

The AFL has refused to respond to inquiries regarding whether the alleged victim was interviewed by the league’s integrity department.

Lyon deflected questions about a sexual harassment complaint made against him by a former female staffer.

Lyon was interviewed on Perth’s Seven News by Basil Zempilas about the reports of the complaint and the secret payment made.

When asked whether he was the subject of the complaint, Lyon replied that the core part of the league’s “Respect and Responsibility policy is privacy for all parties.”

When asked if having no-one named that it cast suspicion on all at the club, Lyon replied: “Under the Respect and Responsibility policy no-one is in a position to comment any further.”

Fremantle coach Ross Lyon talks to his players.

Ms Barry added: “In relation to confidentiality, Our Watch strongly believes it should primarily be used at the request of the victim, with the aim of protecting the victim from harassment. This is particularly important when there is a clear imbalance in the power of those involved, as in the case of an employee and a manager.”

The AFL has come under fire over its handling of cases under the respect and responsibility policy.

Port Adelaide chairman David Koch was angered at the treatment of Power midfielder Sam Powell-Pepper, who was last week suspended by the league for three weeks for inappropriate behaviour towards a woman in an Adelaide bar.

Ms Barry said the AFL needed to be consistent with the way it deals with complaints.

“There is a clear need to implement the respect and responsibility policy consistently, across all complaints whilst protecting the rights of all parties involved,” she said.

Sam Powell-Pepper at Port Adelaide training.

“Regarding penalties and compensation, there is a raft of measures that can be used, but these must be part of a fair and transparent process, respecting the autonomy of the victim.”

She said changing sporting cultures needed more than just a policy.

“We have been working with the AFL for just three years and in that short time, the league’s desire to change and its commitment to taking action have been clear. While we have seen some genuine improvements, we fully appreciate that there is still much to be done,” Ms Barry said.

“We are confident that the AFL and other sporting codes with which Our Watch works will continue to play their part in addressing gender inequality and preventing violence against women.”

LIVE stream every match of every round of the 2018 Toyota AFL Premiership Season on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >

Originally published as Women’s rights campaigner Mary Barry says AFL still has work to do in wake of Ross Lyon case